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PATHWAY A: ACADEMIC DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE FROM AN APPROVED PROGRAM

Please select the approved program at the college or university where you earned your degree:

Please note the colleges and universities listed below realigned their programs to meet the current competencies effective 9/1/19 unless otherwise noted in the drop-down boxes. If you graduated prior to 9/1/19 (or the date noted in the drop-down menu), please click the Start Over button above and review Pathway B.

If your degree is not listed in the drop down menu of the institution, please see Additional Guidance below. This list was last updated November 1, 2021.


Central Maine Community College

Eastern Maine Community College

Husson University

Kennebec Valley Community College

Southern Maine Community College

University of Maine

University of Maine at Augusta

University of Maine at Farmington

University of Maine at Fort Kent

University of Maine at Machias

University of Maine at Presque Isle

University of New England

University of Southern Maine

Washington County Community College

York County Community College

Additional Guidance:

If your degree or certificate is not listed in any of the drop down menus above, it probably means that it is not from an approved degree or certificate program. Many colleges and universities throughout Maine apply to have their degree programs, or select courses, approved to satisfy the competency requirements for the MHRT/C certificate. If your four-year degree is in a related field, but not from an approved program, it means you should follow Pathway B. Please click on the blue ‘No’ box above to get back to the start page.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at cfl-muskie@maine.edu.

Glossary of Terms

Certain colleges and universities in Maine offer degree and certificate programs which are approved by the CFL to qualify for full MHRT/C certification upon completion. These programs cover all the MHRT/C knowledge competencies.

One of the eight domains that encompasses the essential knowledge competencies and skills for Maine’s adult behavioral health workforce. Each competency domain is comprised of a set of unique competencies that are grounded in, and guided by, the fundamental components of recovery and reflect the values of consumer choice and empowerment, integrated care, respect, advocacy, responsibility, and hope.

The required training and professional development to renew full MHRT/C certification every two years.  Eighteen hours of continuing education related to the competency domains must be completed to satisfy the renewal requirement, including a minimum of four hours in Ethics. 

Supervised and documented work experience that demonstrates knowledge and skill in a particular domain. Must be written by a clinical supervisor (or administrative supervisor with supporting documentation), cover consecutive months of employment, and can be used to satisfy only one domain 

Must satisfy half any missing Competency Domains within the one-year period after issue to receive a second one year certificate. Upon completion of all missing Competency Domains, renewable every two years with 18 hours continuing education; four of the 18 hours must be in ethics.

An approximately one-hour web-based training course that provides an overview of the history, resources, roles, and values of Maine’s mental health system; optional for certification applicants in Pathway A, mandatory for all other applicants.

Follow this link to take the course.

May include Certified Professional Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP), Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS), MHRT 1, Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC), or other, reviewed on a case by case basisnt

Offered by many colleges and universities, a PLA can translate knowledge gained from experience into academic credit. Follow this link for a list of PLA offices in Maine.

Competency domains that must be completed within 90 days by those issued a Provisional MHRT/C certification.  They include the first three domains: 1) Behavioral, Psychological, and Rehabilitation Intervention Models; 2) Community Integration and Inclusion; and 3) Ethics and Professional Conduct

Valid for one years; applicant must satisfy half competency gaps in order to earn a second one year certificate. upon completion of a competency gaps, applicant will be issued a two-year full certificate

Degrees in allied areas such as special education, health & human services, human development, mental health, nursing, occupational/physical therapy, psychology, rehabilitation, social work, sociology, other therapies, and more

Direct service experience in the behavioral health field working with adults or transition-age youth with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Applicants may substitute the requirement for direct service experience as a case manager